U.S. Military Draft Announced in Simple Code Today by President Bush

[Jim Warren]

C'mon, what do you think, this article right on or not. I need some input......my son turned 18 a couple of weeks ago and still has yet to register.

U.S. Military Draft Announced in Simple Code Today by President Bush


Los Angeles 12/20/2006 2:45 AM GMT (TransWorldNews - Top Story)
To anyone capable of speaking the English language President George W. Bush today announced a Military Draft for The United States of America. President Bush said today, Tuesday December 19, 2006, in the Oval Office, "It is an accurate reflection that this ideological war (Christianity versus Islam; Democracy versus Dictatorship) we're in is going to last for a while and that we're going to need a military that's capable of being able to sustain our efforts and to help us achieve peace. I'm inclined to believe that we do need to increase our troops — the Army, the Marines. And I talked about this to Secretary Gates and he is going to spend some time talking to the folks in the building, come back with a recommendation to me about how to proceed forward on this idea." President Bush said that his decision to increase the size of the armed forces was in response not just to the war in Iraq, but to the broader struggle against Islamic extremists around the globe.


http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?storyid=11406&ret=Default.aspx

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. Start getting ready now

http://www.serv.net/~techbear/writings/FAQ-CO.html

[Blue_In_AK]

2. That's what I thought when I heard this news...

Where else is he going to get the bodies?

[liberal N proud]

3. It still requires an act of Congress to enact the draft

[MrCoffee]

15. Rangel's got you covered.

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. Wanna bet he is going to do it by executive order

and boy my hubby and I called this one a while ago

[Jim Warren]

22. SHIT!!!

shit shit shit

[nadinbrzezinski]

23. On the bright side

it can and should be questioned in teh courts, since the presnet does not have the authority.

[Jim Warren]

26. Thanks, sure hope so.

Sorry not you of course, but just shit.

[roamer65]

24. Of course he will, he's the "Decider".

He has never respected Congress, so why would he start now?

[Lowell]

4. I'm glad my kids are all too old for the draft

because once Bush has killed off all those now serving the only way he can continue is war for oil is institute a draft. Nobody in their right mind would volunteer today. And if some kid does he should immediately be referred for a psych eval.

[Kikosexy2]

16. We're already ...

stretched too thin...they're desperate and chances are they will increase the age limit maybe to 47-50 year olds and gays, lesbians are most certainly welcomed to enlist tell or don't tell and maybe throw some disabled people as well....I say start with rich Republican kids and Bush/Cheney children and then go down the line...you'll see how fast they hit the streets in protest or head to Canada or Mexico or Paraguay..

[Lowell]

38. LOL! I've a got a bumper sticker on my truck

that Says Draft Young Republicans.

You're probably right my kids are in their late 30s. I've warned them they could still be called up, but they just think I old and out of touch. But I remember well the draft in the 1960s. I had friends who went to Canada and Sweden. Me, I guess I was a dumbass. I went to vietnam.

[roamer65]

5. UC Berkeley and UM Ann Arbor just may become "fun" places to be again...

like the late 60's and early 70's. We were the two hotbeds of college protest during the Vietnam years. Tom Hayden and the SDS were formed right here at the University of Michigan. :headbang:

[madrchsod]

25. there would be jobs for us old sds`ers as consultants!

you forgot madison wisconsin

[roamer65]

28. You're right.

UW Madison was good liberal town with a lot of activity as well. I suspect just about every Big Ten university town would get active this time around. And we will need all the old SDS'ers we can get as advisors and organizers. Since I'm from the left wing of the Dem party, I'd get to work from that end. Kucinich seems like a great McCarthy style anti-war candidate ;)

[rinsd]

31. Cool. Kids can get sent to die so you can have a party.

I won't be one of the ones drafted so I am sure as hell not gonna doom people younger than I am for the sake of boosting anti-war march numbers.

[roamer65]

33. "fun" is in quotes as very dry, sarcastic humor.

I plan helping the kids organize and protest their dying for a lie. Being tear gassed and beaten by cops is obviously NOT fun.

[rinsd]

35. Sorry. Didn;t mean to fly off the handle.

[roamer65]

49. No worries. I'll see you at the protests if a draft happens!

[itsmesgd]

6. I was not around for the first draft

What was the top end cut off age for the draft?
Did they recruit pot heads and alcoholics (not that I am one, but I'm willing)?
I do have two strikes against me. I used to have a security clearance and I have seen where my "old" job is sought after by the man.
I am 31 by the way, so I hope that I am on the "old" side of things, because it's too cold in Canada.

[roamer65]

13. Present structure is...

they'll start with 20 yr olds first and work their way up to 26. When those are exhausted, they will then go for 18 and 19 year olds. No deferments this time. You get to finish your currently enrolled college term, then hafta report if called. These are present rules, but could change due to a skills draft. For instance, if they need doctors the age will not matter as much. They'll draft a 45 yr old MD if they want.

[BrotherBuzz]

30. 2-D Ministerial Students are still exempted from military service.

I envision all those fundie bible colleges are going to be jumping through flaming hops to become accredited as the looming draft approaches. Children of Chickenhawk fundies do not serve, get it? ;)

Oh, back when I got drafted, they started with the 19 year olds.

[Wiley50]

51. I only have one child, a son, 24. Anything on "only heir" exemption

Oh. And Canada won't work this time, they have a treaty now (and neocons in power too).
Mexico won't work either, same thing

I figure Venezuela. He was born here but both his mother and sister
have Venezuelan dual- citizenship.
I don't think Chavez would play ball on this either.

[roamer65]

52. There is none. Sorry to say.

http://www.sss.gov/FSsurviv.htm

Send him to Venezuela if a draft happens. Chavez's government would grant asylum in a heartbeat, especially with family having Venezuelan citizenship.

[BrotherBuzz]

55. No dice

The 'Sole surviving son' clause is really nothing but an urban myth these days. Used to be, back in my days, you could take a ride if your father was killed in battle, but even that has been watered down.

The law, in its 1948 form, was designed to protect families during World War II from losing all of their offspring. Simply, if one or more of your sons or daughters had died in the war and you only had one son left, he could not be drafted. In the start of the Vietnam War in 1964 congress amended the law so that if your father had died in combat and you were the sole surviving son you could be exempted. However, congress also changed the law to be peacetime only, thus giving all the wannabe draft dodgers of the Vietnam War one less option. In 1971 Congress changed the law yet again and removed the sole remaining son clause so that any person in the military could leave if an immediate family member died in combat. Effectively, this law is only useful now if you've joined the military and need an excuse to quit before your peacetime service is up.

We are on opposite sides of this equation but we fight together: you have one child, a 24 year old; I have one child, a 12 year old.

[itsmesgd]

36. the "skills draft" will bite me on the ass

Unfortunately I have a skill from my old days with a g contractor. I have heard from former coworkers that they have begun to make offers for people in my skillset.

If there is a skills draft I will have to decide between money to volunteer or no money to go anyway.

[madrchsod]

21. i think it was around 26--hey-it was 40 years ago....

if you could walk and raise your hand you were in the army
two strikes? that would`t get you out of the draft
31 will probably keep you out

.
i saw people who were asleep get passed through the physical in chicago induction center
my greaser buddy was so loaded that two black guys felt sorry for him and carried him around till military guys through him out. the shrink thought i was having an acid flashback...see there are creative ways to get a 4-f

[roamer65]

29. If this spread to Iran, the age range will increase. IMHO.

[madrchsod]

7. the draft will never happen

unless the democratic congress wants a real war in the united states

[doublethink]

8. Fight The Powers That Be.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=385&topic_id=6543

[phaseolus]

9. Once upon a time there was a better option --

namely, DON'T TIE UP THE MILITARY & WASTE OUR KIDS' LIVES ON STUPID WARS JUST BECAUSE YOU FEEL LIKE IT.

Millions of us knew this in 2003, and tried to tell him. He didn't listen.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

10. What will be interesting is

if Congress says, if we need a draft, it will be EVERYONE...but I want Bush to beg Congress for it first. Then I want to see the little Young Rethugs turn tail and run.....

[Hubert Flottz]

11. You'd think all the Freepers would be lining up and shipping out

ASAP, to fight for Bush's/Gawd's "Noble Cause."(Bush)

[Ezlivin]

14. NO! They've got to stay behind and keep an eye on the liberal veterans

Believe it or not some of these veterans have had the gall to speak out against the glorious war!

[judaspriestess]

20. nah, but they will support

all the poor 'Mexicans' and 'Blacks' fighting em over there so we don't fight em over here.

My fiance is 26 now, rest assured he would not get drafted

[CrazyForKucinich]

12. They can kill me or lock me up

I won't go.

[cdnwannabe]

18. I'm 41, might be too old, already served in the military...

but they would have to lock me up or kill me!

[Jcrowley]

17. If you haven't already

more stuff to contemplate from a DUer in the service:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=116x13646

[lpbk2713]

27. Everything is in AWOL Monkey-Boy's favor so why not?

Sorry to bear bad news but .....


He's a lame duck.

His ratings can't get much worse.

He's a chickenhawk.

War has always been good business for the rethugs.

Stepping up the war will probably rally his psycho base.

[Jim Warren]

32. I know

That occurred to me also.

The damage this motherfucker can yet do in two years.

All the arguments for or against impeachment just became moot.

[lpbk2713]

34. I truly hope for the best for you and your son.

Shithead says he doesn't have any trouble sleeping at night.

That's only because he knows he doesn't have to worry about
his kids being sent off to some psycho's bogus war.

[Hubert Flottz]

40. I see the wobbly warhead rushbo, is ready to "Rush" to Baghdad

on the first transport headed over the pond. Baghdad Bo can go over there to help hand out the pills and report all that good news.

***************



Draft her!

[WilliamPitt]

37. THERE WILL BE NO DRAFT.

The idea of a return of the draft has been a concern around here for several days, and for good reason. Understand, however, that barring some massive calamity - an invasion of flesh-eating aliens or the Earth crashing into the sun - there will be no draft. Not because there aren't politicians who want it, but because the military simply will not stand for it.

The military nowadays is a hell of a lot different from the one we had the last time there was a draft. Back then, it took about eight weeks or so of boot camp to "make" a soldier. Today, because of the new training, tactics and equipment, it takes months (if not years) to make a soldier. An influx of green, raw, non-volunteer recruits would absolutely shatter the system and wreck virtually every branch of the service.

The brass know this, and want no part of it, and will not stand for it. Rangel knows this, too, I am sure, which is why his call for a draft was almost certainly political posturing designed to highlight the Iraq situation and the "rich man's war, poor man's fight" phenomenon. There will be no draft.

[Lowell]

41. I wouldn't be so sure

Will. Normally I find myself in agreement with what you say, but on this one I'm not too sure.

Yes, the military is resisting the draft. (Pun intended) But at the same time it may be necessary. Everyone knows that the draft, like social security, is a third rail in politics. I think they will try to look like they don't want it when in fact to carry out a "500 year war" it will be necessary.

Your observation about tactics, training and equipment makes some sense. I was in air defense missile systems for my 15 years of service and the school was long. But my first hitch was as a grunt 11B. I think that most of the draftees would be for the combat arms, specifically infantry and artillery. These schools have remained pretty much the same for years. They simply teach you how to shoot, run and crawl. If you can follow orders and live long enough you may begin to comprehend a little about order of battle and tactical use of terrain. But I think they are in need of cannon fodder, not rocket scientists.

They simply cannot keep sending these young people over there on multiple tours. Last Friday I was at the funeral of a young man who was killed serving his third tour in Iraq. He was a career soldier with two other combat tours under his belt. He'd been in GWI and Somalia. They are literally running out of fresh meat and something is going to have to give. Hopefully it will be the will of the congress to put up with any more of this nonsense, but I kind of doubt it.

[uppityperson]

42. Question for you Will

You say "An influx of green, raw, non-volunteer recruits would absolutely shatter the system and wreck virtually every branch of the service. " thus there won't be a draft. How would it be different from having this same influx of voluntarily enlisted people? If the number of military must be increased, and even if they are all voluntaries, wouldn't this still be an influx of (what you said)? How does this make the draft less possible?

[w8liftinglady]

44. that's kind of where I'm going with this..."green" vs. 'Burn-outs"

I know..my kid is one of the burn-outs.three tours over there left him unable to function in the civilian world.He is mind-fucked...big time.went back to iraq as a contractor because he felt more in common with those guys than his friends here.I don't expect him back.I'm glad he's not fighting..both for his welfare,and our Army's...and the innocent Iraqis who might piss him off.His story mirrors those of so many people I meet who have family serving in Iraq.

[berni_mccoy]

45. The military wants nothing to do with increasing troop levels either

But I bet Bush gets his way on that. I wonder if we'll see other generals retiring over this matter...

[jmowreader]

46. Will, I disagree with you

As another poster explained, there's still Infantry and Field Artillery.

It takes nine weeks from Zero Day--the day a soldier leaves Reception Station and is received by his Basic Training company--to make an Infantryman. This from Fort Benning's current One Station Unit Training page.

It probably takes two and a half to three times as long to make a field artilleryman. Sill does business differently than Benning--instead of putting you through a combined Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, all redlegs go to the same Basic Training then take a course in their particular specialty--tube artillery, multiple rocket launcher, fire direction control, forward observer, radar, meteo... But it's still quick.

Also consider: this war is basically an urban war. They can focus really heavily on urban warfare and not worry so much about the broader pantheon of infantry skills.

Yeah. They could deal with draftees.

[Nickster]

48. Don't be too sure about that one Will. I was around during Desert Storm and I saw all the

pieces being put into place for a draft back then. Everything was in place for it to happen, the trainers, everything were in place. We had things under control back then and things are far worse then what they were during Poppy's time.

[roamer65]

50. We'll see, Will.

Love him or hate him, Rumsfailed was opposition to a draft and he is gone. Gates seems to be embracing the "any and all options" statement by Raisinbrain. Raisinbrain is also ignoring Congress, the ISG and any other input contrary to his ideology. I will not be surprised if he brings the draft back in with a executive order, AND wouldn't a staged "Gulf of Tonkin-like" incident with the Iranians just make it so easy for him? All those ships off the Iranian coast, just waiting for a "Iranian" Sunburn missile.;-)

[Jim Warren]

53. Hope you're right Will Pitt........

having a son who just turned 18 right now is a load of worry.

[northofdenali]

39. And it's one, two, three..............

Country Joe, we need you. Steppenwolf, where are you now?

america, where are you now, don't you care about your sons and daughters? don't you know, we need you now, we can't fight alone against the monster..........

Tribute to anti-war, anti-Viet Nam, and our vets who suffer the most from the policies of misguided and profiteering pols.

[kineneb]

43. Desperate for translators, the gov. contacted my step-father!

He is a naturalized citizen, born in Iran...asked him if he would like to work full or part time as a Farsi/Dari translator. He politely begged off, since he just, ahem, turned 65.

The security people are getting desperate when they start hitting up the Social Security set.

I feel a draft...

[Frank Cannon]

47. DRAFT = "GAME OVER"

The day the "D" word is publicly announced as official policy is the day that our involvement in Iraq ends. There is just NO WAY on earth that John Q. Goode Republican is going to allow Johnny Jr. to offer his own life for this war. The Iraq war is a great and honorable and exciting and fun thing as long as someone else's kid is doing the suffering and dying. As long as this war doesn't interrupt the next regularly scheduled episode of American Idol or Survivor, it's very comfortable and even COOL!

There's a good reason why you haven't heard the "D" word up until now--because the very mention of that word means the end of the conflict. This administration will resort to all kinds of sleight-of-hand, rhetoric, and overall shenanigans to keep this war going. But the "D" word is anathema. It just won't happen.

[KamaAina]

54. It's getting drafty in here

Someone better get up and close the war.